A note on factors affecting puberty in Clun Forest female lambs

Abstract

SUMMARY In 1971 the attainment of puberty in 30 early-born and 30 late-born Chin Forest female lambs was studied. The early-born lambs showed their first oestrus at a mean age of 265·4 days and a mean body weight of 41·4 kg; the late-born lambs at 222·0 days and 36·8 kg. Marked individual variation existed in both age and body weight at puberty within the groups, largely because of differences in growth rate during rearing. Early-born singles showed their first oestrus on average 3·4 days earlier than twins while this difference between lateborn singles and twins was 17·9 days. Since early-born lambs attained puberty at a considerably higher mean age and heavier mean body weight than late-born lambs with similar growth rates it is suggested that the daylight environment experienced by the lamb may be a critical factor in regulating the onset of breeding activity.